Self-Censorship and Security Reports
By Yushau A.
Shuaib_
Self-censorship
by the media is a moral act of repressing, limiting, holding back or
classifying information from public disclosure through mutual understanding. In
most cases, editors exercise control over what to investigate and report
despite the news value and commercial benefits.
Imbibing the
practice of self-censorship also protects journalists and media organisations
from prosecution or persecution in the event of negative consequences of their
disclosure. For instance, in the evening of April 23, 2015, a credible piece of
news on terrorists was issued by PRNigeria, a press release platform. Less than
an hour later, the platform sent an SMS to Editors requesting them to embargo a
segment of the story that had ‘Thuraya’ with an updated version.
The media complied with the 'directive' and the intelligence operation was
successful.
Several
instances abound where self-censorship, through systematic collaboration
between the media and security agencies contributed to the success of military
operations in Nigeria. Such restrictions serve common interest, especially in
promoting best practices, moral standards as well as protecting life and
property. For instance, when Nigerian troops had misunderstanding with their
GOC in Maimalari Barracks on May 14, 2014, intelligence officers privately appealed
to the media to be mindful of the danger of using the strong word ‘Mutiny’
as against a lighter word ‘Protest.’ Mutiny, according to
them, is punishable by long jail-terms or death. At least a section the media
were considerate enough to substitute the word in attempt to save the career
and lives of the soldiers.
Self-censorship
has been used in battle of wits among parties in conflicts, not necessarily against
the main enemies. There were attempts by some neighbouring countries to rubbish
the integrity of Nigerian military by insinuating that our troops displayed
cowardice. There was an incidence at a border town in August 25, 2014, followed
by an embarrassing media leak from a neighbouring country to disgrace our
troops. The then Defence spokesperson, General Chris Olukolade swiftly
responded by issuing a statement with military jargon of ‘Tactical Manoeuvre’ which
was widely used and celebrated by the media. Surprisingly, few months later the
troops involved in the ‘tactical manoeuvre’ succeeded in launching aggressive
military assaults and recovered the border town. While the enemies and
ignoramuses might be laughing at the drama and the jargon, the military
tacticians were focused on victories.
Meanwhile,
between the months of January and April 2015 there were series of interfaces
between the media and security agencies on planned strategies to recover
occupied territories from Boko Haram when Sambo Dasuki was the National
Security Adviser. The media bought into the idea of self-restraint over some
classified information on the counter-terrorism campaign. As patriotic
stakeholders in Nigerian project, most editors became more conscious and
prevented the inadvertent revelation of military secrets. While some of the
journalists deliberately omitted terrorists’ propaganda from their bulletins,
others suppressed news that could be injurious to national security. Till today
many Nigerian are yet to know how over 20 towns were recovered in Adamawa,
Borno and Yobe States within the short-period of election postponement and
before the handing over to Buhari administration in May 29, 2015. The media
protected the military strategies and supported our troops throughout the
period.
The point
here is that while security agencies use weapons to confront criminal elements,
the media use their pens to frame the public perceptions on those efforts. The
positive media narratives on the counter-insurgency operations, not only
boosted the morale of the troops and built the public confidence, the
anti-terrorism editorial policies also weakened the fighting spirits of
terrorists.
However,
conflicts sometimes brew between security agencies who desire to control
information and the media that dig for fresh facts and newsworthy information
from credible authorized and anonymous sources.
The role of
the media is basically to promote public awareness; shape public opinion;
influence decision makers and mobilize support and resources for public good.
On the other hand, critical institutions are mandated to provide services,
gather intelligence and respond to emergencies and educate the public amongst
others.
The recent
mistrust between security agencies and the media over the arrest of publishers
of the Sahara Reporters, Sowore Omoyele and that of the Premium
Times, Dapo Olorunyomi is unwarranted and worrisome. More disturbing is
the involvement of Nigerian Army in the latest fracas. Surprisingly, the
Nigerian Army under the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai
has received tremendous media goodwill and publicity than any branch of
security sector in Nigeria. The positive media exposure on the Army is so
overwhelming that other branches like Defence Headquarters, Airforce, Navy and
other intelligence organs get lesser mentions in the press.
More painful
is the fact that the name of General Buratai, one of the finest and humble
officers is frequently mentioned in the impasse that the Federal Government and
even the Nigerian Army, as an institution disassociated themselves from the
legal tussle.
It is also funny
that one of the lawyers denounced attempts for a peaceful resolution of the
impasse and even threatened to invoke cybercrime law against the media.
Cybercrime law was signed by the previous administration to tackle fraudulent
and criminal elements not for intimidating the media who have continued to save
the military and other security apparatuses from ridicule and imminent exposure
to danger.
The Chief of
Army staff should be wary of busy-body consultants or lawyers who may wish to
profit from the crisis by instigating him to take irrational steps against the
media. No one fights the press publicly, especially credible media, in attempt
to enforce censorship, not self-censorship, and get away with it unscathed. The
security agencies and the media need one another towards ensuring sustainable
peace and progress and stability of the polity.
Yushau A.
Shuaib
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